Summerton, SC Fishing: An Outdoor Paradise

South Carolina is most known for its beautiful lakes, scenic views of the mountainside, and rich history. Summerton is one that best exemplifies this; about an hour's drive from both Charleston and Columbia is a great place for city dwellers to unwind. Summerton began as a refuge for plantation owners fleeing malaria; it got its name because most owners thought it came from Santee River mosquitos. The town and its surrounding areas are rich in history, being the site for many battles during the American Revolutionary War. The fight at Richbourg’s Mill, Half Swamp, and the struggle to retake Fort Waston. Many relics of the time are currently preserved onsite or found in museums. Summerton has kept its reputation as a summer retreat perfect for outdoor recreational activities in the decades since. 

Fit for the whole family, a trip down to Summerton means camping, being active, and enjoying nature. The town is surrounded by wildlife parks like Oak lea WMA, Taw Creek Park, and Santee National Wildlife Refuge. These open-spaced parks are perfect for barbecues, fishing, and letting the kids frolic under the sun. More immense forests like Manchester State Forest and Congaree National Park are great for trail hikers, bird watchers, and anyone who enjoys nature. Fishing through freshwater lakes, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, and through the Atlantic Ocean just an hour’s drive east. Of course, aside from fishing, freshwater lakes are ideal for sunbathing by the beach, kayaking around the lake, or taking a dip in the water. Those looking for an adrenaline rush will find the Clarendon County Dragstrip and hunting around Santee or Lake Marion to be the perfect places. Those looking for a more relaxing and leisurely time can play a round of golf from Wyboo Golf club to the east or in many Santee’s resorts. There are lots to do, and when it comes to recreational activities, Summerton is the place to be. 

Summerton Fishing 

As a known summer resort, there are a lot of recreational activities being offered to visitors, with fishing being the most popular. Lake Marion and Moultrie are well stocked with fish. Lake Marion hosts many fishing tournaments annually, like the Crappie Masters Tournament and the Striped Bass Tournament.

Lake Marion is an excellent place for such events as it’s the largest lake in South Carolina that covers nearly 110,000 acres and has a 315-mile shoreline. It’s a deep lake with an average depth of 13.12 ft and in some areas reaching as low as 76.77 ft. The lake is a known marshland underneath with large patches of vegetation and muddy bottom composition. Its weedy environment makes for a fun and challenging way to fish. Found around the lake are numerous recreational stores that cater to anglers, like bait and tackle shops boat guides, and even kayak rental stores. Crappie, catfish (blue, flathead, white, and channel), and bass (largemouth, striped, and white) are the most popular game fish anglers can catch. Bream can also be found in its waters. The place is also known for the alligators swimming around its marshy water. The lake has had hunters catching alligators as large as 13 feet. 

Connected to Lake Marion is Santee River, a leading source of irrigation for many farms and plantations dating back to the American Revolution and is now the main source of hydroelectric power. The river is 143 miles long, and it drains both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. It runs its course to the east, where its drained waters end up in the Atlantic. Besides the fish it drains from, the river is home to longnose gar, red drum, and northern pike.

Lake Moultrie is the third largest lake in the state, covering more than 60,000 acres. Its average depth is deeper than Lake Marion, with 18.7 ft making it the perfect place for anglers to try bottom fishing. The lake consists primarily of open waters with little areas filled with swampy waters. Since the site was once, dry land turned into an artificial lake, and some parts have tree stumps. Visitors fishing on a boat should be cautious when moving about in shallow water as the stumps can graze the boat underneath. Its clear waters, depth, and large open areas make plenty of its fish hide at the bottom during the hotter parts of the day. Bottom fishing is also huge in the summer for the same reason. When fishing in the lake, anglers can expect to find largemouth bass, flathead catfish, black crappie, bowfin, blue catfish, bluegill, channel catfish, and striped bass. The fish in the lake are quite varied in terms of difficulty capturing. Anglers of all ages and experience levels will enjoy afternoon fishing in Lake Moultrie. 

Anglers wanting in the sea will also have a few options. Just a bit further east of Lake Moultrie is the Atlantic Ocean, and Bulls Bay is connected to it. Anglers can decide to further into the ocean for larger fish. Those avoiding the extra expense or hassle of bringing a boat onto the sea can easily fish in Bulls Bay. The area runs about 60 miles wide and is home to undeveloped beaches and barrier islands. Its underdeveloped state makes it less known for anglers and even more for other tourists, making it a place with less competition for fish. Anglers visiting the area can reel in sharks like bonnethead, bull, and blacktip sharks. Anglers can also catch common sea-dwelling fish, including sheepshead, crevalle jack, spotted seatrout, red drum, and snook. 

Lastly, other than the major lakes and the ocean to its east, Summerton has numerous small ponds, rivers, and tributaries where visitors can fish. There are multiple ways to catch fish in the area, making it a great place for visiting anglers. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Summerton, SC

The top 10 fish species to target in Summerton, SC are largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, striped bass, northern pike, longnose gar, red drum, spotted seatrout, and crevalle jack.

Seasonal Fishing  

Plenty of fish is in-season all-throughout the year. But, when thinking about when to visit Summerton for fishing, here are some tips. Spring is a great time for catching bass like largemouth and striped bass. Northern pike is another trophy fish readily available from May to early June. During the summer, catfish and gar are at their most active. When the temperature cools down, bass are seen actively stocking up food in time for winter. Finally, fishing in Summerton didn’t stop during winter as crevalle jack and spotted seatrout are best caught during winter. 

Escape the Hustle and Bustle of City Life in Summerton, SC

1. Relive History

Being the site for many battles throughout the American Revolution, those interested in the country’s heritage will have a lot of places to go to in Summerton. Fort Watson is a well-reserved relic of the past that saw one of the biggest and important battles in the war for independence. The Santee Indian Mound, on the other hand, predated the founding of modern-day America by a couple of centuries and was used by the Native Americans as a burial ground. Ancestral homes by many of the first settlers are also well-preserved and viewable like Harvey Belser, Grayson, John McCuen Rowe homes.  Get a glimpse of what it was like to live amidst the founding of the United States.

2. Be One With Nature

As a town surrounded by forests and plains, as well as two large lakes, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy, from walking along a hiking trail at Santee National Wildlife refuge to camping by Lake Marion. There are also a lot of open spaces for visitors to play different sports or even go off-roading. Those looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors can play a round of golf. Fishing on two of South Carolina’s two largest lakes can also help visitors pass the time leisurely.